A damning Court of Inquiry report into the October 2024 sinking of HMNZS Manawanui has found the ship’s crew was under-trained, its leadership distracted, and the vessel itself unfit for the hydrographic survey mission it was tasked with near Samoa.
The ship ran aground on a reef off Upolu while on autopilot, with no one qualified onboard to conduct the survey work. Twenty out of 45 personnel had deficiencies, and there weren’t enough crew to maintain effective watch rotations.
The Court found the mission was poorly planned, the risk culture lacking, and pressure to deliver compromised safety.
“This isn’t a great situation… we’ll survive this,” the captain reportedly told the crew before abandoning ship.
Rear Admiral Garin Golding acknowledged systemic failings and pledged a “relentless focus on continued improvement.” No mechanical failure was found at the time of grounding.
The wreck, which later caught fire and sank, is still being assessed. Samoa has yet to decide whether to remove it, although Defence Minister Judith Collins said there is support for leaving it on the reef. Some local residents report lingering fuel smells, though NZDF and Samoan officials say water quality is safe.
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